Brick-setting apparatus



Sept. 29I 1925.

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G. E., LUCE BRICK SETTING APPARATUS Fneduov.- 1a, '1918 v 'r sheets-sheet 1 Patented Sept. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES GRAFTON E. LUCE, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRICK-#SETTING- APPARATUS.

Application led November 18, 1918. Serial No. 262,947.

To aZZ whom it may conce/m:

Be it known that I, GRAFTON E. LUCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, Illinois, whose post-office address is 140 North Pine Avenue, Chicago,

Illinois, have invented an Improvement in Brick-Setting Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like arts.

p In my developments in the art of brick handling and setting machines as shown in m prior and copending application, Serial l5 No. 259,770, filed October 26, 1918, wherein I have explained and claimed a novel process, utilizing my improved brick handling devices, two apparatus for lifting, carrying, and aiding in operating the brick handling apparatus were shown. My present application is a continuation, in part, of said prior application and the present case is directed to claim and protect the brick setting apparatus as handled by a revolving crane.

My improved brick handling and setting mechanism includes a carrying device having a self-contained power plant and a. reciprocating set of brick engaging devices or fingers moved by the power plant forwardly to engage a stack of brick and rearwardly to release the same when unloading. In order to handle this type of setting apparatus, as herein illustrated, I have devised a novel type of portable and revolving crane to carry, transport, and handle the brick setting apparatus, as well as to aid in its efficient operation.

Important features of the present machine consist in means to hold the brick setting apparatus in balanced position, either when loaded or unloaded, together with provision for swinging the brick setting apparatus on a hinge or pivot to cooperate with, aid in, and supplement the rotatable movements of the crane in handling the entire brick setting apparatus during loading or unloading.

I also provide simple, eicient, and novel means to maintain the brick setting apparatus and its pivotalsupport in a substantially level position irrespective of the height or angle to which the apparatus is required to be moved, this means comprising a pair of parallel links which still further act to stabilize the brick setting apparatus during loading, carrying, turning, or unloading. A further important feature utilizes the parallel links to impart a forward moving or crowding action on the brick setting apparatus, when desired, as will be more fully explained.

In devising my present apparatus, including the portable and revolving crane, I have considered the capability of such revolving crane for operating my novel type of brick setting apparatus utilizing the power plant, movable fingers and resistant plate, as more fully described and broadly claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 328,712, filed Oct. 6, 1919, now Patent No. 1,487,688, dated Mar. 18, 1924.

In the present application, I describe and claim the novel constructions of the revolving crane together with the various means for handling, carrying, and operating a brick setting apparatus of the kind described, in an eiiicient manner with said revolving crane.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a revolving and portable crane having a power plant and controllers thereon supplied with a reciprocating carriage or crowding device and a pair of parallel links uniting said crowding device to a support which is suspended from the booin of the traveling crane and can be hoisted and lowered therefrom, said support having a pivotal mounting and a quadrant allowing the brick setting apparatus to swing thereon while still being held in balanced relation to the support or yoke. This feature is most important and enables the setting apparatus to be swung on its pivot while supported on the quadrant substantially in alinement with the center of gravity of the setting apparatus, and permitting the pivotal'swing of the setting apparatus on its support to cooperate with and compensate for the swing of the revolving crane to enable the setting apparatus to be moved in desired alinement or right angled position at any point within the scope of movement of the crane. To still further balance the setting apparatus when it is moved on its pivot, I provide a spaced support by the flexible cables from the end of the boom to the quadrant, which supports are spaced apart on the yoke equal to `or farther than the required swing of the center of gravity of the setting apparatus on its pivot and within the scope of such pivotal movement. Furthermore, I prefer to attach these spaced supports on a yoke substantially outside of the center of gravity of the entire yoke, quadrant, and setting apparatus, thus largely relieving the parallel links from torsional strain and supporting the setting apparatus practically in balanced relation directly from the boom.

In the operation of my present device and the brick setting apparatus herein illustrated, the crowding action of the reciprocating carrier on the crane is of great importance, as this enables the setting apparatus to be firmly positioned and held with precision and at any desired degree of pressure required against a stack of brick at any height or angular position for loading or unloading the apparatus and while moving the reciprocating fingers forwardly into load carrying position or rearwardly while unloading. The brick setting apparatus being equipped with a pressure or resistant plate, alining it and the brick engaging fingers against the brick when loading, and similarly alining the apparatus and brick when unloading. Other important features of the invention, advantages, details of construction, combinations of parts, and provision for automatic controlling of the apparatus will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a kiln, the arrangement of setting the units of brick therein, and showing the range and capability of the revolving crane and settingapparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the crane and a fragmentary portion of the kiln;

Fig. 3 is a side view of my novel type of revolving crane, reciprocating carriage or crowding device, parallel links, yoke and pivoted support for the brick setting apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the crowding device;

Fig. 5 is a partial end view of the revolving crane, showing the supporting boom and crowding device;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the yoke, quadrant, and hinged support for the setting apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a side view partly in cross section of the supporting yoke and setting apparatus;

Fig. 8 ratus;

Fig. 9 is a rear end view of the setting apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the wiring control for the motor on the setting apparatus which operates the reciprocating frame carrying the brick engaging fingers during loading and unloading; and

is a plan view of the setting appaprocess of automatic hacking is described and claimed in my co-pending applications,

Serial Nos. 266,669, filed Dec. 14:, 1919, (now Patent No. 1,384,393 dated July 12, 1921), and 308,891 filed July 5, 1919. Both the automatic hacking and my improved and novel types of setting apparatus are especially capable of co-operating in the processes of brick manufacture, the hacking machine automatically spacing or setting the brick in the best relative piled and spaced position, best suitable for drying and burning without any special regard or relation to the subsequent handling of the brick setter, the brick setting apparatus correspondingly being adapted to handle, carry, unload, and set a unit stack of brick thus set with a view to the best results in burning, as will be explained herein and is more fully explained in my said co-pending application, covering in broad terms, the setting apparatus and its capabilities. Furthermore my novel form of drier car also co-operates with the hacking apparatus and setting apparatus, being especially adapted for use with the setting apparatus.

Referring to the drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, l will first describe, briefly, the setting apparatus as illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The setting apparatus consists of a main upper frame 1 and lower frame 2, these members being preferably strong castings of channel iron united at their respective corners by vertical posts 3, 3, 3 and by cross braces 4, 4, 5, 5, at opposite sides. A set of tracks 6 and 7 are secured to the lower frame 2 and a reciprocating frame 8 carrying a plurality of brick engaging fingers 9, 9, is suspended by hangers 10, 10 carrying flanged wheels 12, 12 engaging the track 6 and 7 respectively, suitable journaled bearings in the top of each hanger are provided as shown at 13. On the reciprocating frame. 8 at the rear portion, is arranged a roller 14 mounted for adjustment upon a carrier 15 having an inclined face contacting with a corresponding inclined support 16. The roller and bearing are adjustable forwardly and backwardly by rotating a thumb nut 17 threaded onto the stem 1S to move the carrier 15 so as to give a variable height to the bearing of the roller 14 on the under art of the lower frame 2. Duplicate rolers 14 are arranged at each side. These rollers take up the strain of the brick stack, designated generally at 20, when the apparatus is carrying a load of brick. Attached to the forward part of the reciprocating frame 8 are the series. of projecting fingers 9, 9, preferably fitted into the lower face of the reciprocating frame 8, as indicated at 21, Fig. 9, and preferably braced by ribs 22 on either side. These fingers extend forwardly a sufficient distance to carry and support the widthwise stack of brick to be handled, preferably said fingers are equal in length to the width of the drier car intended to be used, so that the apparatus can be positioned adjacent the car and reciprocating .frame 8 and fingers moved forwardly into brick engaging position through suitable grooves under the top of drier car and then being hoisted lifting the entire car load of brick by contact with the central part of the lowermost course of brick, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 8. i

Secured to the forward portion of the frame 1 and 2 is a plate 25 extending across the front of the apparatus and adapted. to contact with the face of the entire stack of brick, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, said plate being at right angles with the lingers 9 and this constituting an alining member for the unit stack of brick to be lifted as well as for the entire kiln face when unloading the stack. In order to move the reciprocating plate 8 and its fingers 9 forwardly and backwardly, any suitable means can be employed, preferably an electric motor is mounted on the apparatus and auto matic means to control the limit of movements forwardly and backwardly are also provided. Mounted on the lower frame 2 is an electric motor 60 turning a shaft 61 through a reduction gearing 59, said shaft 61 being in a gear casing 62 and carrying a worm in mesh with a corresponding gear on the shaft 63 rotating toothed wheels 64 at each end of said shaft. These wheels are in mesh with idlers 65 mounted on an axle 66 supported in suitable bearings 67, 67 and said idlers are turned in mesh, through openings 68 in the lower frame 2, with the teeth 69 on racks 70, 70 secured to the reciprocating frame 8 (see Fig. 9) consequently rotation of the motor 60, in appropriate direction, will act to move the reciprocating frame forwardly and on reversing the direction of rotation of said motor will act to retract said reciprocating frame. I may arrange for controlling this motor and its direction of rotation either from a point adjacent the operators seat in the setter or from a remote point, i. e. in the revolving crane, so that the operator can turn on the current therein, operating or crowding device, and the hoisting and lowering mechanism, from a single point of control, such as that on the setter or elsewhere. This feature of interlocking control of a plurality of predetermined motors at will is outlined in my above mentioned co-pending application, Serial No. 328,712, filed Oct. 6, 1919, and claimed broadly therein as applied to the apparatus and control illustrated in the present application and I wish to claim this feature as applied to the present type of apparatus.

In order to support the brick setting apparatus, as thus far described, for use with the revolving crane, I prefer to utilize a quadrant 30 and a forked support 40 to which the setter frame is pivoted. The quadrant is provided with a forward bearing plate 31 and a rear cross brace 32 uniting the quadrant and bearing plate at the extreme opposite ends, intermediate braces 33, 34, and 35, and strengthening ribs 36, 37, 38, and 39 also uniting the quadrant and bearing plate. To support the brick setter and quadrant to the frame 40, I provide a pair of hinge member 41 and 42 at the rear of the frame through which an axle or pivot pin 44 passes, said pin constituting the hinge on which the frame rotates and passing through the hub 45 at the top of the yoke 40 and a similar bearing 46 in the lower arm 47 of said yoke. rIhe upper part of the yoke 40 has two forwardly extending arms 49, 49, being united by a crossbar 50. Attached to this crossbar at each opposite end is a bracket 51, 51, each carrying a roller 52 positioned under the segmental bearing track 31 of the quadrant. Substantially in alinement with the rollers 52 at each side of the yoke arms 49, is a pair of plates 53 supporting a roller or sheave 55 on an axle 54 extending therethrough. r1`he hoisting and supporting ropes for the quadrant land setter are led through these sheaves, the result being that the center of gravity will be on the line through the pivot 44 during the turning of the brick setting apparatus. It will be appreciated that in the operation of the apparatus the rotating crane has capacity for the swinging of the brick setting apparatus supported at the end of the connecting links attached to the crane (to be described) and the remaining rotative movement required to swing the apparatus in 5 ting apparatus and segment 30 on the supporting yoke 40, as just described.

The crane herein illustrated to handle the setter apparatus, to raise, lower, and position the same as well as to move it forwardly and backwardly and to afford stabilizing and leveling means, preferably through a pair of links, is a full circle crane of novel type. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, this crane is preferably of the portable type having '15 its frame designated at 75 mounted on sets of wheels and with a rotatable platform 76 pivotally secured to the framework and with bearing rollers 77, 77 running on a circular track carried on a support. This part of the revolving crane is of usual construction and I may provide the usual chain and sprocket drive, from the motor on the revolving support to one of the sets of wheels, to make the apparatus self-movable. To rotate the platform 76, a usual type of pinion drive,

meshing with a circular gear 79 is also provided, the details of this yoke arrangement not being shown. On the platform 76 is a motor 80 actuating the drum 81 through the train of gears 82, 83, 84, and 85 to wind up the flexible chains or ropes 86, two airs of such ropes leading down from p leys 87 and 88 on the end of the boom 90 to the sheaves or pulleys 55 at each side of the yoke-carrying the supporting device for the same.

brick setter. The boom 90 also carried by the revolving platform 76 is braced by sets of channel irons 91, 92, 93 and 94, said boom designated at 90 being preferably of spaced channel irons spread suiciently to take the traveling carriage and its mechanism therebetween and also to provide a proper spread for the flexible cables 86 from the setting device support. Cross braces 95 and 96 unite the sides of the boom.

Arranged between the sets of braces and sides of the boomare the tracks for the reciprocating carriage 100 constituting the crowding device. The horizontal supports for the carriage 100 include the plates 101 and 102 at each side to which are secured angle irons 103 and 104 on the upper plate and angle irons 105 and 106 on the lower plate which serve to strengthen the On the pairs of upper angle irons 103 are arranged rackbars 107, 107 in which the teeth of gears 108, 108 are adapted to mesh, said gears being operated through a suitable reduction gearing at 109 by a motor 11G-mounted on the traveling carriage 100. This carriage includes a pair of vertically extending plates 111 and 112 strengthened by cross members of angle iron 113 and 114 at each side. Mounted also on the traveling carriage are sets of rollers at 115, 115

to support the same and adapted to travel between the projecting flanges of the pairs of angle irons 103, 103 and 104, 104, while adjacent the lower part of the traveling carriage are arranged pairs of rollers 117, 117, acting as thrust bearings at either side of the carriage, while also on the upper part adjacent the outer end of the carriage, or at the left view, Figs. 3 and 4 are additional thrust bearings 118. This travelingcarriage has at its forward or outer end and adjacent the thrust bearing 118 a pair of pivots for the link arm ends 119, these ends extending into the link sleeves 120 and being adjustably secured therein. A similar pivot and link end at the lower part of the traveling carriage is shown at 121 and 122, the latter extending into the lower sleeves 123 and being adjustably secured thereto.

These tracks on the rackbar 107 are conveniently secured to the braces 91, 92, and 93, 94 as well as to the adjacent faces of the boom sides where the latter extends thereby, and being united at the inner ends by a brace 124. This arrangement provides a strong, simple, and eiicient construction. Brace rods 125 from the outer end of the boom to the opposite end of the revolving carriage are also set up and an idler 126 on the end of the carriage frame for the cable 86 leads this cable around the frame and down to the winding drum 81.

The parallel links 120 and 123 are pivotally connected to the brick setter support 40 by adjustable end pieces. It will be understood that each of the upper and lower parallel links comprise two arms, spaced from each other and extending across the width of the traveling carriage, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Thus the lower pair of link arms 123 extend downwardly to the base of the yoke, beinor connected by an adjustable arm 127 sli ing within the link sleeve 123 to a pivot 124. This includes a forked member 130 having pairs of ends 128 extending into each of the sleeve arms 120, said forked member having its arms 131 and 132 spanning the boss 133 formed on the yoke 40, which latter is perforated to receive the shaft 134. This shaft projects beyond the boss and into a bearing block on each side, as shown at 137, Fig. 7, said block being Within the pairs of forked arms of the member 130. Lugs 136 and 137 also on the arms of said forked member are threaded to receive the thrusting screws 138 and 139 respectively, which are threaded therethrough and bear a ainst the opposite ends of the block 135. ppropriate rotation of these thrusting screws 138 4and 139 .serves to adjust this connection of the link -and the yoke and thereby also to adjust the desired plane in which the setting apparatus is held, i. e. preferably level or slightly inclined when desired. Lock nuts 140, 140 around each of the thrusting screws serve to hold the same in position where adjusted.

This provision of the traveling carriage 100 and its sets of parallel links thus pivotally and adjustably united with the support 40 carrying the setting apparatus, constitutes suitable leveling and moving means,

holding the supporting yoke for the brick setting apparatus level any height to which it may be raised or lowered. taking up torsional strain as well and affording an efficient reciprocating or crowding action for the brick setting apparatus when moving the same forwardly or rearwardly in accordance with the travel of the carriage 100. This feature of these connecting means providing a forward and back movement of the brick setting apparatus on this pivoted support corresponding with the range of travel of the carriage 100, are most important features in practice and greatly facilitate the operation of the setting apparatus and the speed, accuracy, and facility of handling the same by the revolving crane, thus in unloading, for example, when the bricksetter is positioned at desired height through hoisting or lowering of the flexible cables 86, the carriage 100 is then moved forwardly, giving a crowding action and forcing the unit stack of brick 20 into firm contact wit-h an adjacent pile of brick, the pressure plate 25 thus holding the entire stack of brick so engaged while the reciprocating fingers may be readily moved backwardly, the entire unit stack of brick being thus held suspended between thc pressure plate 25 and the adjacent brick or other wall structure against which it may be placed, by the crowding action of the carriage 100. This crowding action also serves to automatically aline the brick stack and the setting apparatus by the pressure thus exerted at the face of a. kiln or at right angles with the resistant surface against which it is positioned. T he parallel links automatically follow the height to which the apparat-us may be raised and the spaced bearing of the same tends to withstand torsional strains as the setting apparatus with a load of brick is swung on the pivot 44, and in combination with the spaced supporting pulleys and quadrant 30 effcctually holds the brick setting apparatus as well as its support in firm and level position during operation of the reciprocating frame 8 either for loading or unloading. This spacing of the two arms of each set of links is furthermore important in holding the brick setter and its supporting yoke in alinement with the boom 90 and revolving platform 76 and the traveller 10C'- and its tracks, during rotation of the crane on its pivot, the spread of the links providing a firm supporting base or leverage therefor.

In order to operate the reciprocating plate 8 carrying the brick lifting fingers 9, I provide the motor 60 and the gear connections on same to the rackbars with automatic controlling means to stop` the travel of the reciprocating plate either at the forward limit of movement desired or at the limit of backward movement. It will be appreciated that the travel of the lefting fingers, both forwardly to engage a stack of brick when loading and rearwardly when unloading, must be stopped with great accuracy and it is difficult to accomplish this result manually. Therefore automatic means are provided. As shown in Fig. 10, I accomplish this result by providing suitable limit switches and tripping devices together with a brake mechanism as will now be explained. From a controller 150 mounted within convenient reach of the operator who may be positioned on the setting apparatus at 151, current carrying wires 152, 152 are led to limit switches 153 and 154 mounted upon the fixed part of the frame 3 on the apparatus, or on the movable part of the reciprocating frame 8 as desired. As herein shown, I prefer to secure the limit switches to the fixed part of the setting apparatus, as indicated at 155, Fig. 9, and on the top a tripping device 156 having a pair of beveled contact faces 157 and 158 at either end on the track 10 of the reciprocating frame 8 in position so that the wheeled contact members 159 of the limit switches 153 and 154 respectively will contact therewith during the reciprocation of said frame 8 and at the limit of movement where it is desired to stop the frame. A solenoid 161 is also in the line of circuit from said ,limit switches by the wires 162, 162 through a double pole contactor 163. This solenoid through a link 164 operates a lever 165 to spread a pair of brake arms 166 and 167 positioned about a drum 168 secured on the shaft of the motor 60. These brake arms are pivoted to a base plate 170 and are normally held together in said position by the coiled spring 171 encircling a rod 172 which passes loosely through the arm 167 and threaded into the opposite arm 176, said spring bearing between the arm 167 and an adjustable nut 173. The lever 165 is pivoted at 175 to the arm 167 and a cooperating toggle member 176, pivoted to the arm 166 at 177 is also pivoted to the short arm of the lever 165 at 178. Energizing the solenoid 161 spreads apart the brake arms against the tension of the spring 171 and de-energizing the solenoid allows the spring 171 to set the brake. Current being supplied through the controller 15() any desired direction, either forwardly or backwardly having been set, the motor 60 operates to move the reciprocating frame 8 through engagement of the gears and rackbas. as alreadv explained 1mi-il nom- Hm end of the line of travel, whereupon one of the tripping devices engages the adjacent limit switch wheel thus breaking the circuit simultaneously de-energizing the solenoid 161 and automatically setting the brake, stopping the motor, and holding the frame where thus moved. The operator therefore turns on the current and thus the controlling apparatus automatically stops the travel of the reciprocating frame and its brick carrying lingers in exactly the position desired, either forwardly to pick up a stack of brick or rearwardly when' unloading the same. A similar arrangement of the limit switches will be provided to control the line of travel of the carriage 100 and the rotation of the motor 110 arranged on the extreme limit of movement on the tracks and rackbar therefor, so that should an operator not stop the motor within the limit of its line of travel, it will be automatically de-energized and stopped. It is customary in building up brick kilns to supply loads of brick thereto on drier cars and I have illustrated in Fig. 11 such a unit load or stack of brick 20 set in spaced relation for the drying and burning on a drier car 180. This car is provided with a series of transverse beams 181, 181, 181 and corresponding grooves or channels 182, 182, 182, the latter being adapted to receive the brick engaging fingers of the setter. As is clearly shown in Fig. 11, the lower course of brick 183 is set either by hand or by my automatic hacking machine, already mentioned, with the brick centrally centered over the grooves 182 and with the adjacent edges of each brick resting on the crossbeams. This arrangement enables me to lift this entire stack of brick by engagement of the brick lifting devices, substantially along the central portion of the brick in this bottom course, thereby eliminating the danger of marring and breaking the corners of the brick, as in prior setting devices. Furthermore this gives the lifting fingers a comparatively broad lifting surface on the brick in the bottom-course and still further advantage is that should some of the brick be broken, they will still be lifted with the unit stack. To still further enable the drier car 180 to advantageously cooperate with my setting device, I prefer to apply to the sides of the car a plurality of beveled guides or faces comprising end guides 185, 185, and intermediate edge guides 186, 186. These beveled faces may be either angle irons or the life, or may be below the face of the side of the car, but as herein shown they extend slightly. When the brick setter is being moved toward the drier car, these lower guides 186 will aid in raising the apparatus to appropriate height against the car for the fingers 9 to slide within the recesses 182 andthe end guides will aid in centering the setting apparatus. For this purpose also, the bevelled faces 188, 188, on opposite edges of the arm on the setter carrying the motor and reciprocatingbeam, will be guided against the corner guides to position the setter with respect to the sides of the car 180.

The operation of the apparatus, when employed in building up or setting unit stacks of brick in a kiln, will be clearly understood on reference to Figs. 1 and 2. As herein shown, the sides of a kiln 201 and the end 202 are being set by unit stacks of brick designated diagrammatically by the series of units 208 arranged in one position and 204, 204 in bonded position at right angles thereto, as is customary. Pairs of tracks 205, 205 are laid along each side of the kiln providing the kiln is of sufcient width,- otherwise one track will be laid in-on which drier cars carrying unit stacks of brick as indicated at 206, are successively supplied. The revolving portable crane, indicated at 207, is conveniently positioned so that the same may swing on its center to pick up the loads of brick 206 from the drier cars and swing the same and raise or lower such loads to desired heights when spotting them when unloading in different positions throughout the kiln, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The range and capability of the setting apparatus when the full circle swing of the portable crane together with a supplemental swing of the setting device on its pivot 44 are indicated in Fig. 1, the various positions of said pivot being shown at 210. I have found that with the pivot 44 located at or behind the arc 211. with the crane rotating at the point 212, the setter will operate eliiciently to set and unload brick throughout the range of movement of the setter beyond the arc 211 and at or even beyond the arc 213. Therefore this apparatus has the capacity of setting approximately 15.000 brick in a kiln of standard height and width from a single position of the crane, i. e. from the point 212, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The capability of thecrowding device or traveller 100 also en ables the setting apparatus to be moved into corners as well as other positions throughout: the range required in kiln building. I have indicated the various positions of the pressure plate 25 to illustrate the manner and position in which brick setting apparatus would be located and to show how the action of my setting apparatus together with the crane and crowding mechanism will automatically aline the unit stack of brick with the face of the kiln,- or at right angles therewith, simultaneously realining each unit stack as it is forced and held into position between the adjacent brick and the pressure plate 25. In fact this pressure is sntiicient to hold the entire unit being unloaded in suspended polll) sition while the fingers 9 are entirely withdrawn therefrom, whereupon the backing ofi' of the setting apparatus allows the entire unit to settle in to place.. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 2 with the unit 215, which would ordinarily be positioned with the lifting ngers 9 on the reciprocating frame adjusted upon the next lower unit 216 and the unit 215 would be held in position, as shown, while the lingers are withdrawn just clear of the lower stack, whereupon the unit 215 would settle or slide downwardly a short distance from one inch and a half to two inches-so small a distance as not to disturb the stack and spaced formation of the unit, nor injure the brick. A further capability of the setting apparatus is illustrated in Fig. 2, wherein the setting apparatus is positioned adjacent the ground to unload the unit 218 no resistance surface or backing against edge being required, the unit 218 being thus capable of being spotted and unloaded individually and independently of all others. This capacity is most important in setting the benches in a kiln, and enables the apparatus to be speedily and eiiiciently used in unloading unit stacks of brick for these benches or lower courses, or for setting the units at the outer walls and ends of the kiln. My present invention is furth r described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a brick setting device, a support for said device having provision for pivotal movement between the setting device and said support, in combination with a rotatable crane and means for suspending the setting device and support from the crane,

whereby the pivotal movement of the brick setting device and its support, supplemental to the swing of the crane, enables said brick setting device to be alined with the tace of a kiln at any tanget with the circle of movement of said crane.

2. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a brick setting device, a support for said device having provision for pivotal movement between the setting device and said support, in combination with a rotatable crane and means for suspending the setting device and support from the crane, whereby the pivotal movement of the brick setting device and its support, supplemental to the swing of the crane, enables said brick setting device to be alined with the face of a kiln at any tangent with the circle of movement to raise or lower the support and brick setting device, in combination with automatic means to maintain the brick setter substantially horizontal within its range of movements.

4. Brick setting apparatus of the kind dcscribed having brick engaging devices on a reciprocating frame, means to move said devices forwardly for loading and rearwardly wardly for unloading, a pivoted support for the apparatus permitting a partial rotative movement of the brick setting apparatus and a raising and lowering support therefor, having a full circle swing, in combination with a reciprocating carriage mounted on said support and connected to the brick setting apparatus support by parallel links, whereby a reciprocating movement to the brick setter can be imparted while maintaining the setter substantially level and at predetermined height in any position required.

6. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a. crane and a revolving support therefor, a brick setting device adapted to be suspended from said crane by flexible cables and means on the revolving support to raise and lower said device by winding and unwinding said cables, in combination with a yoke secured by said cables at a plurality of points and means permitting the brick setting device to be rotated on said yoke.

7. In a brick carrying and setting device of the kind described, a pivotal support therefor, and means to maintain thesetting device in balanced relation to said support during the swinging movement of the device on its pivot, said means including a quadrant and anti-friction bearings suspending said quadrant from the pivtal support.

8. In a brick carrying and setting device of the kind described, a pivotal support therefor, and means to maintain the setting device in balanced relation to said support during the swinging movement of the Ydevice on its pivot, said means including a quadrant and anti-friction bearings suspending said quadrant from the pivotal support, in combination with stabilizing means including a plurality of links fi Xibly united to said support and to a traveling carriage.

9. In a brick carrying and setting device of the kind described, a pivotal support therefor, and means to maintain the setting device in balanced relation to said support during the swinging movement of the device on its pivot, said means including a quadrant and anti-friction bearings suspending said quadrant from'the pivotal support, in combination with means uniting the pivotal support with a .traveling carriage.

10. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a revolving crane and support, a brick carrying and setting device suspended from the end of said crane by flexible cables, a traveling carriage'mounted on the revolving support and movable in alinement with said crane and means connecting said carriage and said brick setting device independent of the flexible cables, said means including a pair of pivoted links having spaced bearings on the carriage, both vertically7 and horizontally and bearings on the setting device support spaced vertically, whereby a rigid alining and stabilizing support against torsional strains is provided.

11. Brick setting apparatus of the kind described comprising brick engaging devices on a reciprocating frame, means to move said frame forwardly for loading and rearwardly for unloading, a pivoted support for the apparatus having provision for partial rotative movement of the' frame about a vertical axis, suspending means for the support having spaced bearing points thereon from which the support may be raised and lowered while maintained substantially horizontal during raising and lowering, comprising pivoted link arms.

12. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a revolving crane support, a brick setting apparatus carried by the crane and having movable brick engaging devices together with means to move said devices forwardly for loading and rearwardly for unloading, a traveling carriage on the revolving support, connections from said carriage to the brick setting device, means to move the carriage, means to raise and lower the brick setting support through the suspensions Jfrom said crane and means to rotate the revolving support, together with electrical controllingr connections to operate any predetermined plurality of the motors in unison.

13. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a revolving crane support, a brick setting apparatus carried by the crane and having movable brick engaging devices together with means to move said devices forwardly for loading and rearwardly for unloading, a traveling carriage on the revolving support, connections from said carriage to the brick setting device, means to move the carriage, means to raise and lower the brick setting support through the suspensions from said crane and means to rotate the revolving support. together with electrical controlling connections to operate any of the motors in unison, and 'automatic limit switches on the motor operating the brick engaging devices.

14. Apparatus for raising, lowering, carrying, and operating a brick setting device comprising a rotatable support, a crane supported thereon, ing the brick setting device to the crane and a traveling carriage on the rotatable support together with connections from said carriage to the brick setting device and a motor mounted on the carriage and traveling therewith to move the same in combination with automatic limit switches at the ends of the travel of the carriage.

15. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination with a jib crane of a brick setting device operatively attached thereto said setting device comprising horizontal fingers adapted to carry a pile of bricks in ranked relation and means" for withdrawing said fingers longitudinally from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited without disturbance of their ranked relation.

16. In a brick handling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a horizontally movable'- carriage thereon, a settmg device operatively attached to said carriage said setting device comprising horizontal fingers adapted to carry a pile of bricks in ranked relation and means for withdrawing said fingers longitudinally from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited without disturbance of their ranked relation.

17. In brick handling apparatus, the combination with a setting device having horizontal fingers adapted to carry a pile of bricks in ranked relation and means for withdrawing said fingers longitudinally from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited without disturbance of their ranked relation, of a frame, a horizontally movable carriage thereon, parallel links pivoted to said carriage, the other ends of said links being operatively connected to said setting device, and hoisting means attached to said setting device independently of said links.

18. In brick handling apparatus, the combination with a horizontally movable carriage and means for advancing and retracting said carriage, of a brick setting device, parallel links pivotally connected to said device and carriage and means independent of said links for raising and lowering said setting device, said setting device comprising a plurality of horizontal fingers adapted to carry a rectangular pile of bricks, and means for withdrawing said fingers longitudinally from said pile when the same is to be deposited.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, a brick setting device of the tvne havi'no hnriznntal fincmm adam-m1 -n flexible means suspendcarry a rectangular pile of bricks, and means for withdrawing said fingers from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited, hoisting mechanism for raising and lowering said setting device, an earth supported structure and rigid pivoted members operatively attached to said last mentioned structure and to said setting device independently of said hoisting mechanism whereby the device is guided.

20. In a device of the character described, in combination, a brick setting device of the type having horizontal fingers adapted to carry a rectangular pile of bricks and means for withdrawing said ngers from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited, cable type hoisting mechanism attached to the top part of said setting device for raising and lowering the same, and a rigid guiding member attached to the rearward part of said device, independent of said hoisting mechanism, for orienting and steadying the same, said last member being connected to the same member which supports the hoisting mechanism.

21. In brick handling apparatus, in combination, a structure pivoted upon a vertical axis and having a jib-boom a setting device having horizontal fingers adapted to carry a pile of bricks in ranked relation and means for withdrawing said fingers longitudinally from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited without disturbance ot' their ranked relation, and a frame to which said setting device is pivoted upon a vertical axis, said axis being located at the rear of said pile of bricks and said frame being operatively attached to said boom.

22. In brick handling apparatus, in combination, a setting device having horizontal fingers adapted to carry a pile of bricks in ranked relation and means for withdrawing said fingers longitudinally from beneath said bricks whereby they may be deposited without disturbance of their ranked relation, of a frame to which said setting device is pivoted upon a vertical axis, said axis being located at the rear of said pile of bricks, a second frame having a horizontal slideway, a carriage movable in said slideway, and parallel links pivoted to said carriage and to said first frame, the pivots of said links defining the four corners of a parallelogram.

23. In a brick handling device, the combination with a supporting device having a horizontal slideway, a crowding-arm movable in said slideway, means for advancing and retracting said arm, a brick setting device operatively supported by said arm, and means for raising and lowering said setting device relatively to said arm, said setting device comprising a plurality of horizontal lingers adapted to be introduced beneath a previously prepared pile of bricks, a bricksaid bricks whereby they may be deposited, A.

of cable type hoisting mechanism attached to the top part of said setting device for raising and lowering the same, link means pivoted to the rearward part of said device upon a horizontal axis, and a horizontally movable carriage to which such link means is connected.

25. In a brick handling apparatus, in combinaton, a supporting frame movable about -a verti cal axis and having a horizontal slideway, a crowding-arm movable in said slideway, means for advancing and retracting said arm, parallel links pivoted to said crowding-arm, a brick setting device carried by the opposite end ofsaid links, and means for raising and lowering said setting device relatively to said crowding arm, said setting device comprising a plurality of horizontal fingers adapted to support a rectangular pile of bricks, a brick-engaging member located above said fingers, and means for producing relative movement between said brick engaging member and fingers whereby the latter are withdrawn from beneath said bricks.

26. In a brick handling apparatus, in combination, a supporting frame movable about a vertical axis and having a horizontal slideway, a crowding-arm movable in said slideway, means for advancing and retracting said arm, parallel links pivoted to said crowding-arm, a frame to which the opposite end of said links are pivoted, a brick setting device hinged in said frame and movable about a vertical axis relatively thereto, and' means independent of said crowding-arm for raising and lowering said setting device said setting device comprising a plurality of horizontal lingers adapted to support a rectangular pile of bricks, a brick-engaging member located above said fingers,l and means 'for producing relative movement bctween said brick-engaging member and fingers whereby the latter are withdrawn from beneath said bricks.

27. In a brick handling apparatus, in combination, a pair of frames, one of said frames being pivoted upon a vertical axis and the other frame having a brick setting device pivoted thereto about a vertical axis, one of said frames also having a slideway at right angles to its axis, a carriage movable along said slideway, means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said carriagev and slideway, and parallel links connected to said carriage and to the other of said frames, the pivots of said links deining the corners of a parallelogram.

28. In a brick handling apparatus, in combinatin, a pair of frames, one of said frames being pivoted upon a vertical axis and the other frame having a brick setting device pivoted thereto about a vertical axis, one of said frames also having a slideway. at right angles to its axis, a carriage movable along said slideway, means for producing relative longitudinal movement between said carnected to said carriage, and to the other of 15 :said frames, said setting comprising essentially a plurality., o parallel horizontal fingers adaptedto support a rectangular pile of bricks, a brick-engaging member located above said fingers, and means for producing 20 relative movement between said brick-engaging member and fingers whereby the latter may be withdrawn from beneath said bricks. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GRAFTON E. LUCE. 

